‘Will spare no efforts to get Cauvery water Karaikal ryots’

The Puducherry government today said it would spare no effort to ensure that ryots in Karaikal region, who are dependent on Cauvery river water, got it without any hitch.

Replying to AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan’s criticism who raised the issue, he said Karaikal was entitled to six tmc feet of water in the Cauvery as per the verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. (IE)

The Puducherry government today said it would spare no effort to ensure that ryots in Karaikal region, who are dependent on Cauvery river water, got it without any hitch.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy stated this in the assembly during zero hour.

Replying to AIADMK legislator A Anbalagan’s criticism who raised the issue, he said Karaikal was entitled to six tmc feet of water in the Cauvery as per the verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

“We will take all steps to ensure this share is available to the region”, he added.

Narayanasamy said he would also meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to make out the case of Puducherry in its share in the river water.

The House witnessed a lively discussion on the difficulty Karaikal region faced in getting Cauvery water.

When Anbalagan criticised the government for ‘showing no concern’ to protect the ryots of Karaikal region` Speaker V Vaithilingam intervened to tell him that a team of legislators headed by the AIADMK legislator could meet the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to contend for Karaikal region`s right.

Geetha Anandhan (DMK), hailing from Karaikal also brought to the notice of the House the woes of agriculturists for want of Cauvery water. She felt check dams could be constructed in the region to conserve the river water and that all the tanks should be desilted without delay.

Earlier Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan raised the issue and alleged that government had not taken any firm steps in the last five years to get water.

He said Puducherry should emulate the example of Tamil Nadu government, which had shown keen interest to protect ryots in their state.

He urged Narayanasamy to meet Jayalalithaa for availability of Cauvery water for Karaikal.

He suggested that the CM also adopt a resolution in the Assembly either to persuade the Karnataka government release the water to meet the statutory share of Karaikal or for the Puducherry government to ‘condemn the delay on Karnataka’s part in meeting the requirements of Karaikal.

PWD Minister A Namassivayam pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government had moved the Supreme Court over the issue.

Puducherry government had already taken steps to file an affidavit in the Apex Court to make out its right in the river water.